Kid Icarus (NES) - Complete Walkthrough - Best Ending

One of my favorite games from my childhood. I play through the whole game and get the best ending.
0:00 - Intro & Stage 1-1
4:22 - Stage 1-2
10:42 - Stage 1-3
16:54 - Stage 1-4
20:31 - Twinbellows (boss)
21:08 - Stage 2-1
28:21 - Stage 2-2
35:20 - Stage 2-3
42:07 - Stage 2-4
46:31 - Hewdraw (boss)
48:33 - Stage 3-1
51:09 - Stage 3-2
56:14 - Stage 3-3
1:01:22 - Stage 3-4
1:05:32 - Pandora (boss)
1:07:27 - Stage 4
1:12:44 - Medusa (final boss)
To get the best ending, you must do the following things:
- Have all four strength upgrades
- Have all four health upgrades
- Have all three special weapons
- Have 999 hearts when you defeat the final boss
This really isn't hard to do. The only thing that can be tricky is getting the strength upgrade on stage 2-2 because you need to get a certain number of points and there's a limited number of enemies to kill. For more information, check out this FAQ:
www.gamefaqs.com/nes/587380-k...
What makes this game so great is that you have a life bar and unlimited continues, but it's not too easy. However, the difficulty curve isn't very good. Most people will find the first three levels to be the hardest because of your limited number of health, weapons and items. The castles can also be a pain in the ass if you don't know where to go and especially with those eggplant wizards walking around.
As for my playing, it was far from perfect, but that's how it is. Since you restart the level every time you die, you don't get to see all my deaths, but I didn't die too many times. When you restart a level, you always get two bars of health, so you can tell if I didn't die on a level if I have more or less when I start it. Also, I never got the credit card when I played this as a kid, and I didn't even know it existed until recently. I restarted 2-2 until I got it.

[@nix-cipher]

I play the heck out this game until I beat it 3 times,the theme music brought back great memories of better times.

[@kevinkinsey3476]

😂😂 classic

[@Michael-jw6et]

My dad and I use to play this for hours together. I remember that it took several months to get past level one, and it was an accident. I still remember how excited my dad and I were when we discovered a whole new world past level one.

[@paleo704]

Tough game

[@BB-vq6cb]

So many memories from this game. 1986 was an amazing time in my life that I miss dearly, I was 12.

[@kevinkinsey3476]

Wow 😂 I miss them days 😢

[@Godlike_Virus]

⭕I would've been waist-high to you at that point, as I was only 4 in 1986. 😆 Wouldn't get my first Nintedo until one year later for X-Mas.

[@TheBloodofAges]

I was today years old when I found out there was a whole 'nother world past world 1.

[@wozthescott2804]

Lmaooo

[@metalmat3651]

I also never made it past the 1st level as a kid

[@TheBloodofAges]

@@oli.the.oddball I get anxiety when I freak the little reaper guy out 🤣

[@alostfraggle]

Yeah I was 6 when this came out. After talking to a dude about this game at a bar I decided to come to yt and watch a playthrough and finally see what happens after level 1 lol.

[@p123a6]

In 1989 my mom finally let me rent a nintendo for the weekend. The two games i rented was Kid Icarus and Mike Tysons punch out. I never left my house that weekend. Such a nostalgic trip back to an amazing time.

[@ziweiyuan]

After all these years I've still found no references in Greek mythology to flying Groucho nose-monsters.

[@user-oq3wx3pj4i]

It's a joke about one of the sound producers having a VERY big nose and the character designer thought it would be funny to put an ugly version of his friend (with a VERY BIG NOSE) in the game. XD))

[@ziweiyuan]

@@user-oq3wx3pj4i That's a neat little bit of trivia, thanks!

[@user-oq3wx3pj4i]

@@ziweiyuan don't thank me! I just saw it on a channel called thomas game docs and I read up on it in an article and can confirm it's true!!

[@marqevox9745]

Wow, I remember buying this when it came out. Such heavy nostalgia. Thank you!

[@aronm5617]

This game is as hard as it's going to be at the start and gets easier the longer you play. Leveling up getting power ups and a little farming to make sure you have feathers and potions makes the game a lot easier.

[@Nick--hk6tk]

LOVE IT so metroid theme layout too. I miss my child hood!!

[@mysterio952]

Good game, cool enemies, good concept, good bosses, cool levels, cool items

[@leelduttis4086]

You forgot to mention satanic difficulty, and this is coming from someone who doesn't have much trouble with megaman 1.

[@A_Man_In_His_Van]

This game is tuff at first but by the 2nd boss you are powered up enough that it's not too bad. Kill as many as u can and get hearts, this playthrough was great. 1:15 damn. Took me like a whole day the first time.

[@armymenstopmotion6262]

The sequel is even better

[@westmcgee9320]

Army Men Stop Motion that’s hard to believe.

[@tidalboxer]

God this game was/is so hard. I got barely through the first level and threw my controller at the tv. Lol

[@ziweiyuan]

Too right. I picked up it after I played (and loved) Legend of Zelda. I was really hoping this would be another Zelda-esque experience. I was so wrong! While the game looks good and controls well actually playing it is like trying iceskate uphill while people throw rocks at you. The way enemies spawn on top of you when you're in the middle of a succeed-or-die jump is terrible game design.

[@westmcgee9320]

Mike conversely, I hated Zelda and loved this.

[@erikwennerholm4792]

If you kmow how the leveling system works in this game, its actually not as hard as its rumour. But still, its a grind. Funny thing is that once you get past the third stage, it actually becomes easier.

[@eatingoceanside4494]

Bwahahaha!! This game helped to create the concept of RAGE QUIT!!

[@eatingoceanside4494]

@@ziweiyuan - The entire gameplay of mobs and jumping was so reminiscent of Ninja Gaiden... another nightmare of a game... but you know what? Games like these made me a man. I beat the game even with all its difficulties. Nothing can take that away from me and I bet if we gave this game to some of today’s kids they would insta Rage Quit. Hahahaa

[@djp6191]

This brings back so many memories. 80s were the best

[@kadenkim5193]

There’s this show called Captain N, and the main character is in it. Also, instead of Pit, he’s actually called Kid Icarus.

[@enforcerridley158]

Calling Pit "Kid Icarus" is like calling Link "Zelda," and Samus "Metroid." Captain N' didn't do it's research.

[@cammy85]

@@enforcerridley158 That was just one of many mistakes they made. But I guess in the creator's eyes, calling him Kid Icarus had a better ring than calling him Pit. Let's not even get into the "icus" jokes.

[@westmcgee9320]

Nah. It’s fine to call him Kid Icarus. If not him then who?

[@mikerobinson938]

@@cammy85 yeah they made Simon Belmont a pretty boy narcissist. I honestly couldn't see him that way.

[@user-eh2mi2oh4h]

The problem with that show is no Mario

[@GarlandTheGreat]

Btw, I might do more of these while waiting for the Crash remasters, and I'm open to suggestions if there are any other NES classics you want to see me play through. I will also stream this game some day in the not too distant future.

[@NGTGO]

Bubble Bobble?

[@NGTGO]

Wait, how about Startropics?

[@PolarPhantom]

Battletoads.

[@starboy35tcoos]

I'd like to see an NES rpg that ISN'T FF if that's okay

[@GarlandTheGreat]

I had Battletoads as a kid, but never made it past the Turbo Tunnel. Not familiar with the other two games. Maybe I'll do an rpg if I can find a short one.

[@markm3477]

Doing a run of this right now. This game is batshit crazy hard. And the labyrinths are insane. For a kid this game was a mutherfucking nightmare!

[@PassTheSnails]

I can beat cuphead all bosses on expert with no items or unlocks in like an hour and a half without dying, but this game has sent me packing on more than one occasion. Absolutely BRUTAL difficulty.

[@mikeysenior]

1:13:51 Our Princess Is In Another Castle? Awwww what the hell Kid Icarus!?!??

[@BBNix]

28 years ago I couldn't pass world 1.

[@mysterio952]

Now u r a real man. Do it

[@felixthedestroyer1826]

Rly it took me 6 days now and I feel like it took forever

[@yummi4tunekookie]

SAME.

[@pixif3511]

Same

[@yummi4tunekookie]

Lol, the only "video game" I was okay at was "Wheel of Fortune" on the N64. Kid Icarus was especially hardcore in comparison xDDD

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

A Nintendo Power correspondent reveals the trick to breaking jars in the right order in the two special rooms listed... this comes from Issue 3 (November/December 1988, page 62). Black Room strategy... Break jars 1, 2 and 8 as shown in the screenshots. Blue Room strategy... Break jars 2, 6 and 7 as shown in the screenshots. The exact jar containing the Reaper (God of Poverty) will vary depending on how many Big Hammers you get upon breaking the first three jars in the order given... Black Room No Big Hammers = Reaper in jar 4 1 Big Hammer = Reaper in jar 6 2 Big Hammers = Reaper in jar 7 3 Big Hammers = Reaper in jar 5 Blue Room No Big Hammers = Reaper in jar 8 1 Big Hammer = Reaper in jar 3 2 Big Hammers = Reaper in jar 5 3 Big Hammers = Reaper in jar 1 Now break the remaining jars except for the one containing the Reaper. When you then break this last jar, you will get a special prize such as a Barrel or the Credit Card.

[@jkrenz77]

Whoa!!

[@frankpatraziebe5515]

0:59 Enter the Oom Fleef-Fleefs 1:30 Enter the Glugoktins 3:55 Enter the Tub-a-tub Deamons

[@redknight5974]

Ten years of this awesome channel.

[@jeffhicks8035]

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. So many rave about this 'classic' game, while I find it... meh. Your walkthrough helped immensely!

[@thongpaya]

Bring back memory!! Thanks.😁😁😁

[@thegtagaming9118]

I just want to say thank you I wouldn’t have got the best ending if it wasn’t for your video Amazing video sub for u

[@banihex]

I had no idea this was called Kid Icarus! I loved this game!!

[@Majora404err01r]

i actually thought pit's name was "icarus"

[@banihex]

@@Majora404err01r lmfao that's news to me too!

[@Majora404err01r]

@@banihex lol

[@theoverseer1775]

Nah, icarus is just some kid from Greek myths whose dad made him wings, but he flies too close to the sun and they burned off, and then he fell to his death. What a happy little story!

[@angiesworld8038]

Thanks for sharing.

[@rpierce3336]

This is one of the hardest games I've played.

[@jkrenz77]

Yah, I never beat it. I’d have to be very careful to enter the save code properly. I’d have sheets of codes. Most of the time my game would mess up and get pixelated. Good ole blowing into the cartridge sometimes didn’t work…

[@jamani.weird.]

This game is a masterpiece 😍

[@jkrenz77]

I still love my good old Dungeons of Daggorath on the Coco. But this one as well as a couple others took the cake on my NES.

[@jkrenz77]

I love this game, this music. I used to record it on cassette and play it in my car, what a weirdo. Super Metroid for NES was the best!

[@stevekov6740]

0:58 Enter the Oom Fleef-Fleefs. 1:30 Enter the Gluclocktins. 3:55 Enter the Tub-a-tub Demons.

[@sgreen4865]

This game is too damn difficult. It's not even right. I want to give it another try after all these years though

[@westmcgee9320]

I did. It’s challenging but fun. That said, it’s personal fave. I love the music.

[@RealBirbOnRoblox]

so many memories!!! i played it on nintendo switch online!!

[@Billo1281]

Icarus Fights Medusa’s Angels Was a password, I believe I use to use. I use to play this game so much. Great music and everything else.

[@ouinic]

wow tyvm!

[@Sebastian-rr7de]

the music in this game always gave me the creeps

[@redknight5974]

awesome game

[@valeriesanchez3074]

The good days of my childhood

[@818bluesmurf]

Great game! Took me 72 hours to pass. Level 3 gave me a little trouble or else I would have passed this in 2 days haha. Just passed it a bit ago. Wanted to see the ending again! :)

[@perio12345]

(1:15:34) Want to know how? 1986 to 2012 (25 Years of Kid Icarus NES) See you in Nintendo 3DS Kid Icarus Uprising.

[@Colden_Deluxe64]

Pit would always stay upbeat upbeat upbeat!

[@aksonnolasco4763]

Or else he would be dead meat dead meat dead meat

[@rowdycmoore]

I can vouch that getting the strength upgrade in 2-2 is the worst because it's not just about beating all the monsters, it's doing it while taking almost no damage. You have to clear out everything in the two Enemy Rooms before the God Room at the start of the stage, and if you take even just three hits while doing so for both Enemy Rooms combined, the God won't appear in the third room.

[@rowdycmoore]

Okay I just now watched that part of the video with that stage, and I've never seen anyone get the upgrade that way.

[@Mazza666]

Surprised so many people here couldn't pass the game. My grandparents (both) finished the game so many times I think I was 6-7 when I first finished the game all endings

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

40:18 - Curses!

[@throwmilly]

I loved this game, but was bad at games, so never got past level 2 or three. My best friend always got pretty far.

[@Andreas-ti1pv]

Why did you get those 2 thingies on I think 2-1 Edit: i now know why but the 4th strength upgrade doesn't appear idk y

[@olivia2671]

I’m Stuck on stage 2.🤣😭

[@FreeportHometown]

Olivia Veniti did you beat it yet?

[@potato_phr0gs.1o18]

How about now? :0

[@calvin3464]

I'm inputting different codes like unlimited life or starting fully maxed on the Virtual Console of this game but it just says "Error! Try again". What am I doing wrong?!

[@paleo704]

Brutally difficult game 😊

[@TarkTheWild]

This series has only two games.

[@maessu9233]

three, actually! We have this one, Of Myths and Monsters (Game Boy) and Uprising (3DS). Still, we need more kid icarus games :(

[@TarkTheWild]

@@maessu9233 I forgot myths and monsters but we do

[@shorterrecording]

Why did you skip the health before the bonus room in the first stage

[@Mark-wp4lw]

Had forgotten how similar both the music and end boss were to Metroid

[@capslockavenger2771]

This isn't a walkthrough, this is a long-play. Walkthrough implies guiding along the way with strategy, tips, and info.

[@koryandrews1665]

This game is difficult. Lol this sounds absolutely terrible but I can't get past stage 1

[@mysterio952]

U can do it. Fucking start e fucking game

[@lupin6424]

Kory Andrews omg same

[@zamasterhando3399]

It took me over 2 hours to get past the first 3 stages, but I got stuck completely on 1-4

[@kennethmotes8439]

You're not alone lol!!

[@allviolet]

What's he doing when he's in the caves a walking back and forth low to the ground in the difrrent color patches?

[@Antiformed]

funny original comment: "this doesn't look like a speedrun of ffvii to me"

[@Antiformed]

seriously though nice job, i saw the GameCenter CX episode about this game and it was fucking brutal. That reaper, man.

[@PolarPhantom]

What you talking about? This is the famous Kid Icarus exploit. You get enough hearts, you can revive Aeris, right, then use Great Gospel on JENOVA Death to finish the game early!

[@Rakanishu2]

Funny original comment: Your channel died because you broke your promise and didn't deliver FFVII.

[@BohepansTheThird]

Yeah, it's called game swapping - Super Mario Land 2 speedrunners can use Pokémon R/B/Y ACE stuff to beat SML2 immediately after booting the latter up. It's clearly the same deal here - swap out Kid Icarus under the proper conditions for FF7, and suddenly you're in the final battle between Cloud and Sephiroth in Cloud's mind. Level 99, max stats, Aerith revived, super special secret ending with both optional characters recruited. I thought everybody knew about this!

[@westmcgee9320]

Whoa. How did dude go from almost no energy at the end of 1-1 to full energy at the start of 1-2??

[@westmcgee9320]

I see a lot of love for this game. I agree. So, I’ll mention something I dislike: After working so hard to get the 3 items, you finally get to use them at the end (which is cool) but they’re terrible. The flight is slow and choppy. The shield protects you from nothing. The arrow has good range, at least. So, that’s welcome but it could use a faster repeat fire option. It’s absolutely painful.

[@metachop7444]

the first world theme sounds like metroid brinstar and zelda 1 overworld

[@topfranluis1]

Why is nobody able to tell me how many angels I can save in 3-4?

[@Kuma5655]

I somehow beat the whole game today without knowing what Mallets did.

[@taiphonix9232]

I finished this game on Switch NES Online,and guess what ending I got? That one where pit gets a gladiator's helmet. Edit : Normal Ending ,he becomes the head of the army Why is this game so hard? I only discovered in Pandora's level (3-4) that hammers can be used to break centurion statues. Also this game is heck with drift ,so I recommend playing with a detached + controller. Im going to play this again ,and tell what ending I get No. This game makes no sense wth? I had to get best ending with a special sacred words code. Shows how hard getting the best ending is.

[@kevinkinsey3476]

Wow. Classic 😅😢😂😂

[@tabe8850]

I assume game grumps will forever play Mario Rpg

[@UpRisingDown]

My control still has the bite marks

[@miserablepileofsecrets]

Making myself a marathon before buying Uprising

[@zamasterhando3399]

Why can't pit crouch-walk like that in Smash Bros?

[@nezahualcoytl]

i remember using the game genie on it to win.

[@inputfunny]

You didn't win; you just saw the ending.

[@FUNZO1904]

ok im trippin. I remember a level involving trees yet this run through doesn't have any. It was literally a tree forest and involved going upward like others.

[@vmystikilv]

Wizard and warriors I think your thinking of

[@FUNZO1904]

@@vmystikilv no nice thinking though,i just researched it and saw the tree level. I thought it was icarus because i played it so much and remember his wings flapping as he was jumping around. weird.

[@-littlesquare-1987]

On the switch version how do I change my wepon??

[@moonstoneuniverse8516]

Admit it the only levels you know from this game are 1 and the last with Medusa.

[@sgreen4865]

I never got far in this game. I nearly beat ghosts and goblins but could never beat this game !! I might get back into the NES. Why not ? I’m going to do it !! I have an actual NES. I’m going to try !!

[@inputfunny]

Did you beat it?

[@sgreen4865]

@@inputfunny No but I did play it on my Switch. Still hard

[@thunderdragons3258]

i like angels

[@henry7696]

never made it past 1:4 as a YungKid.

[@paperbagboi3185]

46:24 why does it says _12 Icarus_ and then in the boss it says _9 Icarus_ ?

[@mr.missingno2593]

Because it's the number of Icarus that aren't fighting the boss. If you look closely, you can notice that they are 3 icarus fighting and the other 9 left are just waiting.

[@adaliatherivas9029]

I couldn’t get past the first jump

[@fiending]

I don't think I've even made it passed the first Grim reaper🤣

[@adamneuman1232]

If you know how you can lower the prices

[@jholttn]

This game just angered me as a kid.

[@dempc5402]

Apparently i never ever beat stage one lmao. Was 5 at the time when i played this tho.

[@AUBCodeII]

Mario movie had this game

[@mikeymartin80]

Let’s be real nothing against the online gamer as of today but do you want to think that they could’ve lasted playing these kind of games back in the day?

[@sxcrunner18]

Why are NES games so fucking hard for!? Is there any easy NES games besides the Super Mario Bros trilogy?

[@inputfunny]

Cartridges had low storage back then, so they had to make the games hard so people wouldn't beat the game in an hour.

[@secretjazz93]

what's the point of the empty room @ 00:40 ? does anyone know

[@Strawberry_PopTart]

I’m pretty sure there’s absolutely nothing in there. Idek y it’s in the game then.

[@secretjazz93]

NES games can be huge trolls sometimes lmao

[@aronm5617]

It's a spot to level up if you haven't fully leveled up when you beat the game. After you beat the game it starts over with all your power ups and levels.

[@demariodixon716]

Still can’t beat it

[@joshua.snyder]

17:00

[@A_Man_In_His_Van]

Why is called pit? Like armpit? I thought he was Icarus?

[@sigurdtheblue]

Maybe peach pit or the fact that he was imprisoned in a pit according to the instruction manual and where you start out from.

[@paperbagboi3185]

@@sigurdtheblue I think in the Japanese version it was said _Pit’s_ name an abbreviation of the word “Cupid” in Japan, that’s why he is an angel with a bow who recollects hearts (as Money)

[@murasakirenea9290]

How the hell do you use the mallot!?

[@adrianagarzon496]

Murasaki Renea if your the switch it’s -

[@justinthomas2458]

Only works in boss levels, use select

[@aronm5617]

Use select and only used to break statues in boss levels who will help you when you get to the boss.

[@ronchilds7545]

Saw on the News... This game is worth $9,000....

[@tidalboxer]

Ron Childs Umm yeah... unopened in mint condition.

[@enforcerridley158]

…I was about to say…I still own a copy.

[@darrenhopkins5454]

Everyone has failed to mention that this game has possibly one of the most annoying sound effect in video game history. I used to love torturing my mom with that damn skeleton thing.

[@RealBirbOnRoblox]

0:22

[@goto1546]

Metroid cuz

[@vwbora26]

Pasword is 8uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu , make sure the "u" is in small blue letters

[@Jyrkin666]

000eee eeeeee eeeeee eeeeee

[@timothyroehm4307]

This game is fucking impossible I hate it!

[@JOHNSMITH-dc6lr]

LIKE GHOST N GOBS THIS GAME IS TOTAL BS!!!!!!!!!!!